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Copyright, 1917, 
Tillie C. Jeroleman. 



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OCT 2? 191/ 



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CHRISTMAS 

VY/HEN the earth is cold and dreary 

'^ And the winter winds are strong, — 
When the hours of day pass quickly 
And the nights are dark and long, — 
Then to cheer us 
Christmas conies, with joy and song. 

When the trees stand bare and leafless 
Reaching upward, toward the sky. 

When, at touch of frosty fingers. 
Flowers of summer droop and die, — 
Then green garlands, 

Christmas wreaths we hang on high. 

When the birds, from silent woodlands. 
Toward the South, have taken wing. 

Then, the wintry stillness thrilling. 
Bells of Christmas sweetly ring. 
And glad voices 

Happy Christmas Carols sing. 

Day of days ! Our hearts beat gladly 

As we greet, year after year. 
Christmas, with its glad surprises, 

Christmas, with its joy and cheer; 
Day of gladness. 
Day of memories, — Oh, so dear ! 




NATURE'S CHRISTMAS MUSIC 

I IKE a grand old anthem, rising 
*— ' Through Cathedral arches, dim. 
So, through all the world, is sounding 
Christ, our Saviour's natal hymn; 

Hark ! the low voice of old Ocean 
Rolling, — breaking on the shore, — 

"Glory in the highest, glory !" 
Sound the deep tones, evermore. 

Then the stars join in the chorus. 
Ringing from the midnight sky — 

"Glory in the highest — glory — 
Glory be to God on high !" 

"Peace on earth !" in softest whisper 
This, the message of the snow. 

Like a blessed benediction 
Falling on the earth below. 



Pine-trees, in the fragrant woodland 
Linger sweetly on the strain. 

Rustling, — murmuring together — 
"Oh, good-will, good-will to men." 





All earth's mountains, hills, and valleys 
Shout for joy the glad refrain. 

In sweet harmony, proclaiming 

"Peace on earth, good-will to men." 

Let the voices of all people 

Rising to the vaulted sky. 
Join the universal anthem, — 

*'Glory be to God, on high !" 





PROPHECY FULFILLED 

I ONG had earth waited for some blessed token 

That Israelis promised King should soon appear; 
Surely, Jehovah's word could not be broken. 
Surely, the time, the promised time drew near. 

This was the word of hope the Lord had given 

By holy prophets, in the long ago; 
"Lo ! One shall come, from highest Courts of Heaven 

To rule, to bless, to save the world below !" 

Long had been hushed the voice of ancient sages; 

Long had prophetic lips been dumb and still; 
But, sounding down, through all the distant ages, 

"Thus saith the Lord !" the words came ringing 

[still. 

And so earth waited; and the hosts of glory 
Gathered about the battlements above. 

To watch the unfolding of redemption's story, — 
The wondrous workings of redeeming love: 

Nor watched in vain ; for at the time appointed. 
In humble garb of flesh, the Saviour came; 

Messiah ! Prince of peace ! The Lord's Anointed ! 
Forever blessed be his Holy Name ! 





THE ANGELS' SONG 



A STORY— wonderful but true, 
^^ A story — old, but ever new, 
A sweet, sweet song I bring to you,- 
**Glory in the highest." 



In a rude manger, far away 
Long, long ago the Saviour lay, 
Jesus was born on Christmas-day, 
Glory in the highest ! 



He came from Heaven, — that land afar. 
Beyond each distant, twinkling star. 
He came, and left the gates ajar, — 

Then, through those gates, a song poured forth 
And softly floated down to earth, 
A song of joy at Jesus' birth — 
"Glory in the highest." 



So far away, men did not hear 
Until the shining ones drew near 
Singing, with voices loud and clear- 
"Glory in the highest !" 



Shepherds were seated on the ground , 
When lo ! a light shone all around 
And, looking up, they caught the sound; 
"Fear not, fear not, good news we bring. 
To you is born a Saviour — King !" 
Good news indeed, well might they sing 
*'Glory in the highest !" 



Shepherds ran with eager feet 
Telling all they chanced to meet 
Of the angels' song, so sweet; 
So would we the story tell, — 
Jesus came, with men to dwell. 
Hail ! all hail, Immanuel, 

Glory in the highest ! 







A LITTLE BOY*S WISH 

I'VE been thinking of the story 

Mama told me yesterday. 
Of some happy shepherds, living 

In a country far away; 
And I have been thinking, — wishing 

That my Papa had been one, — 
One of those rejoicing shepherds, 

I, his happy little son. 

When he left our home that evening. 

Said "Good-night" and stroked my head 
Clasping both my arms about him 

This is what I would have said, — 
"Please, Papa, let me go with you. 

No, I will not fall asleep, 
I will keep the lambs from straying 

While you watch and guard the sheep." 

Then I would have walked beside him. 

Through the darkness, all the way 
To the fields, where, white and fleecy. 

Mother-sheep and lambkins lay; 
And we would have watched them, sleeping. 

Sitting close. Papa and I, 
Till the light— the song — the glory 

Burst upon us, from the sky. 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 



(^HRISTMAS-BELLS ate ringing. 

Ringing joyfully. 
Hear the echoes sounding 

Over land and sea; 
Sounding forth the tidings 

Of that blessed morn 
When, in David's City, 

Christ, the Lord was born ! 
Far and near 
Sweet and clear 
Let the glad bells ring. 
While our happy voices 

Christmas carols sing. 

Oh, we love the story 

Of that blessed night 
When, around the shepherds 

Fell a wondrous light; 
And the song of angels 

Sweetly sounded forth, — 
**Glory in the highest, — 

Peace ! Good-will on earth !— 
Fear ye not— 
Fear ye not — " 
Thus the angel said, 
'*Ye shall find the Saviour 
In a manger laid." 






Dazzled by the brightness 

Shepherds lift their eyes 
Listening to the message 

Sounding from the skies. 
Theirs the light and glory. 

And the notes of song. 
But the joyful tidings 

To the world belong; 
Ring the bells — 
Ring the bells — 

Let the people say, — 
"Christ, the World's Redeemer 

Came to earth today !"" 



^-i^s: 





GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY 



"J BRING you good tidings," oh, wonderful song 

* That floated to earth, from the angelic throng; 
Joy ! Joy to the world ! Good tidings, indeed 
God's infinite gift to man's infinite need. 

Good news for the young, in life's happiest days. 
Who walk in the light of the sun's early rays; 
Oh, hear the glad tidings, in life's happy morn, 
**Unto you," sang the angel, "a Saviour is born !" 

Tell the news to the old, who are longing for rest. 
The daylight is fading away in the west; 
Oh, tell them that Jesus, the Saviour has come 
To open the doors of a glorious home. 

And listen, oh men in the noonday of life. 
Mid the din of its battles, the heat of its strife. 
Let the tumult be hushed, let earth's clamor be still. 
And hear the sweet melody, "Peace and good-will !" 

Oh, let the good tidings ring round the whole earth ! 
The blessings that come with Emmanuel's birth 
"Shall be to all people," — this was the glad word. 
All nations may welcome Messiah, the Lord ! 





CHRISTMAS-TIDE 

A T CHRISTMAS the sky is cold and gray, 
'**• The nights are long-and the earth is drear. 
And yet we call it the brightest day. 
The very brightest in all the year; 
Listen, the reason you shall hear. 

Long, long ago, on a winter night. 
Through an opening rift, in the starry sky. 

Came a wonderful, glorious light. 

Radiant gleams from the world on high 
Ah ! too dazzling for mortal eye. 

For God's own glory filled all the place, — 
The peaceful pastures of Bethlehem. 

Fell on each shepherd's upturned face, — 
Circled each brow, like a diadem. 
Oh, 'twas a wonderful sight for them ! 

The opening closed in the starry heaven. 
The wonderful glory passed away; 

But not till a message had been given 
That brightens earth with its joy to-day. 
A joy that will live in our hearts, — alway. 

This was the message,— "The Christ is bom," 
Oh, blessed tidings of hope and cheer ! 

The Saviour came on the Christmas-morn ! 
Therefore we hold it the day most dear. 
The very brightest in all the year. 




THE FIRST FALL OF SNOW 

r^ECEMBER had come, and the air was chill. 

The voice of the wind was loud and shrill, 
But, now and then, as it grew more faint 
A sound arose like a sad complaint; 
A cry from the earth, so brown and bare 
"Where is the garment I used to wear ! 

*Twas given to me in the springtime-gay. 
And I've worn it through many a summer day; 
A beautiful mantle, green and fair 
All dotted with daisies here and there. 
I hear the sound of the coming storm. 
And I want my mantle to keep me warm. 
But now it is gone, and the winter drear — 
The pitiless winter-time is here." 

Then the shivering trees took up the cry; 
Lifting their long, bare arms on high 
They cried, as they tossed in the northern breeze, 
"Give back the leaves to the naked trees; 

Where are the robes we so proudly wore? 
Give us our beautiful leaves once more ! 
Vainly we tried to hold them fast. 
They were borne away on the winter blast. 





And now we stand with our branches bare. 
So cold, — so cold, — with nothing to wear !'' 
The North- Wind whistled in careless glee, 
"Where have your leaves gone? Don't ask me !" 

Then a murmur arose from the garden-beds 
Where the dear little flowers hung their heads; 
Old Jack Frost, traveling through the land 
Had laid upon all, his strong, firm hand 
And bade them sleep through the winter night. 
Till the spring-time came, like the morning light. 
And now from the roots, 'neath the frozen 

[ground. 
Through the stalks and stems came a hollow 

[sound, 
"How can we sleep 
When wild winds sweep 
Over our beds, so bare and brown? 
How can we sleep 
When chill frosts creep 
And winter rains come pattering down? 

How can our sleep 

Be calm and deep? 
Oh, Mother Nature, to thee we cry, — 

Over each bed 

A coverlet spread. 
That quietly, peacefully, we may lie." 



Some dull-looking clouds were hovering near. 

They paused for a moment, the cry to hear. 

Beckoned for others to listen too. 

Then said to each other, ''What can we do? 

Over the shivering earth below 

Let us drop a mantle of soft, white snow !" 





It began about tea-time, and snowed all night 
And lo ! in the morning, a beautiful sight,— 
A spotless covering, ample and wide. 
Was spread o'er the earth, tucked in on each side. 
Each tree bore the folds of a warm winter dress 
And the tall branches bowed in deep thankfulness; 
While down in the darkness, the flowers, I know. 
Gave thanks and rejoiced in the first fall of snow. 






THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE YEAR 

TTHE sound of passing footsteps marks the jouf ney 

[of the year. 
We heard it in the spring-time, — a sound distinct 

[and clear, 
'Twas the falling of the rain-drops, making music, 

[oh, so sweet ! 
Like the patter, patter, patter of tiny, childish feet. 

Again we heard the footsteps, — the merry, dancing 

[sound 
Of the welcome summer shower, on the foliage and 

[the ground. 
How it fell in tuneful measure, summer rain in 

[careless glee. 
Like the step of youth and maidens, ever joyous, 

[glad and free. 

The year grew old so quickly. Soon over field and 

[plain. 
We heard the measured stepping of the steady 

[Autumn rain; 
Like the tread of stalwart manhood, firm and fear- 

[less, brave and strong, — 
Like the tramp, tramp of an army, marching 

[steadily along 




But the firm steps seem to falter,— the year's proud 

[strength is gone. 
For the frosty, chilling winter, like Old-age, comes 

[creeping on. 
There's a weary sound of rapping, rapping at my 

[window-pane. 
As the winter-storm is beating, hail, and sleet, and 

[frozen rain,— 
Like the patient tapping— tapping— of an old 

[man's cane ! 










CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 



r^HRISTMAS EVE ! 

And ouf thoughts go forth 
Here and there 
O'er the troubled earth. 
Oh, west wind of the winter night. 
Hastening on, in your rapid flight 
Over the crest 
Of the waves so blue. 

Bear a greeting 
Tender and true 
To our soldier boys, in a far-off land 
Our "Boys in khaki*' — a valiant band. 
Above them, the twinkling stars are bright 
In the skies of France, this hallowed night. 



Seek them out 
As their watch they keep. 

Or lie, perchance 
In a restless sleep; 
Whisper to each, this word so true, — 
"Friends in the Home-land think of you; 
God be with you in camp or field. 
His Arm, your strength. His Power, your shield !*' 



\TORTH wind, blowing so fast and free, 

A Christmas Greeting we send by thee, 
A kindly thought and a word of cheer 
To soldiers and sailors, far and near. 

In vessels and camps, — on sea and land. 
Line upon line, our brave men stand ; 
Ready and eager, they wait the call, 
"To the front, to the front, haste ye all !" 




To-night they are lonely. Thoughts will come 
Of happy days in each far-off home. 
Bear to them, winds, as you hover near. 
Loving remembrance from hearts sincere. 

In dreams, may they hear the notes of song. 

Mingle once more in the dear home-throng. 

Catch the gleam of each smiling face 

And clasp loved ones in a fond embrace; 

And oh, may Hope in each heart abide 

With its light and gladness, this Christmas-tide ! 






W/'HEREVER they list 

The winds may blow. 
Eastward or westward — 
Ever they go; 
As over our wide-spread land they roam 
We bid them stop at each lonely home. 
And leave a greeting, — a wish, — a prayer. 
In each home, marked by a 'Vacant chair." 

Husband and father. 
Brother and son, 

A broken circle. 
The loved ones gone; 
Oh, how many dear hearts will grieve 
Lonely and sad, on this Christmas Eve ! 

'^ Angel of Memory, 

Faithful and true. 
Unnumbered treasures 

Bring to their view; 
Hours so precious in earlier days 
Walking together in life's sunny ways, — 
Glances of love from true, honest eyes, 
Tenderest care and self-sacrifice; — 
Words of affection, in accents so dear. 
Blessed companionship, year after year; 
May thoughts of the past, the dark shadows lift. 
And memories sweet prove a rich Christmas -gift. 




VJT/HEN we reach the close of another year, 
^ When the Christmas season again draws near. 
May the clouds of conflict have passed away 
With the ushering in of a better day. 

May a light, like Bethlehem's star, arise 
Scatter the gloom of our darkened skies. 
Lead us onward through winding ways 
Perhaps through stress of sorrowful days. 
Through sacrifice, dangers, and grief untold 
Still may it shine, like the bright Star of old. 




Gleaming afar, may its radiance sweet 
Mark the path for our weary feet ; 
Clouds cannot hide it, — mists cannot dim 
Our faith in God, and our trust in Him ! 
This is the star, whose wonderful power 
Shall guide and cheer in the darkest hour. 



Its light will safely our footsteps bring. 

At last, at last, we shall find the King ! 

The King — who is waiting the world to bless. 

The King — with his Sceptre of righteousness. 

The King — whose dominion never shall cease. 

The "Wonderful — Counsellor — Prince of Peace !" 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

015 938 582 6 




